FC Barcelona Women v Athletic Club: Unfortunate defeat (0-1)

The blaugranes lose their first league game at home this season in a game they dominated but were unable to score before conceding in the second half

www.fcbarcelona.com

02:44PM Sunday 18 Feb

Women

18 Feb 18

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Fran Sánchez’s side dominated the game and they had the best chances but they were unable to secure the points due to a fantastic performance from Athletic’s keeper Ainhoa, which led to Barça’s second league defeat of the season (0-1).

The first half started with both sides well positioned on the pitch. They both attacked without any real chances for either team. As the half went on, Barça controlled the ball and started to create better chances. Martens was proving to be a particular handful on the left of the blaugranas’ attack.

Chances fell to Duggan, Alexia and Martens but none of them were converted. The Basque side’s Érika Vázquez was also proving dangerous and she created a couple of chances which Paños dealt with comfortably.

In the 33rd minute, the lively Duggan had the best chance of the half when she produced a fantastic dribble and shot just wide of the right-hand post. The break arrived with Barça in complete control but unable to break the deadlock.

Lack of accuracy

The second half started with another chance for Duggan which the opposition keeper managed to save. Barça were all over Athletic’s goal for the next few minutes but they kept being thwarted Ainhoa.

Athletic take lead

With Barça dominating totally in attack, the Athletic Club player Lucía Córdoba found herself with the ball in the blaugranas’ box completely against the run of play and she shot past Paños’s dive. The match ended with the blaugranas trying everything to level the scores but Athletic Club were strong in defence and they managed to take the sting out of the game.

The defeat means Fran Sánchez’s side have lost the lead at the top of the table over Atlético Madrid and are now looking ahead to their next game: a complicated away game against Valéncia.